Fixing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fixing apparatus for fixing a terminal of a control cable is composed of a fixing means which is provided in a given position of a vehicle such as automobile, construction machine, a terminal fixing metal fixture fixed to the terminal of the control cable being engaged with a bracket means without substantial play in the axial direction, and is provided for non-detachably fixing the terminal fixing metal fixture from the bracket means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 08/975,201, filed Nov. 20, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,141, issuedJan. 9, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus (hereinafterreferred to as a fixing apparatus) for fixing a terminal of a controlcable or the like, and more particularly to an apparatus fornon-detachably fixing a terminal fixing metal fixture, mounted to acontrol cable, onto a bracket means provided properly in a vehicle suchas automobile, construction machine or the like.

There is a control appliance or the like for realizing comfortabledriving, such as power window, seat moving control, rotation control ofseat-back leaning, rotation control of rear view mirror, antenna takingin and out, as well as a rotation appliance for improving the vitalperformance to a vehicle such as optimum consumption control of anengine mounted in an automobile, a construction machine or the like,electrically-driven hydraulic control such as a pivot rise, fall controlof the arm of a power steering, power shovel, and a control appliancemounted on the vehicle.

Accordingly, space for engine room is much narrowed, and therefore,various types of appliances demand much smaller size and lighter weight,and easier mounting.

To satisfy the requirements, each of special manufacturers of thecontrol cable or the like is engaged with the development of anapparatus wherein the control cable or the like can be easily fixed on acar body.

As an apparatus wherein such a control cable or the like can be easilyfixed onto a car body is disclosed a fixing apparatus (hereinafterreferred to as “conventional technology 1”) composed of a socket 32mounted on the terminal of a cable 31 as shown in FIG. 5, having twoflanges 34 a and 34 b with a groove 33 grasped between them, a bracket35 having an approximately circular hole 35 a allowing the groove 33 ofthe socket 32 to be detachably received in, a clip 36 having a bulgeportion 36 c engaged between either of two flanges 34 a and 34 b, andthe bracket 35, as shown in, for example, Japanese Examined UtilityModel Publication No. 35176/1995.

In the case of the conventional technology 1, the groove 33 of a socket32 mounted on the terminal of the cable 31 is engaged with a hole 35 aof a bracket 35. Then, the clip 36 is formed on the top portion of theclip between the flange 34 b and the bracket 35. By hitting the flatportion 36 b with a hammer or the like, it is inserted in a wedge shape,elastically deforming the bulge portion 36 c. When the clip 36 isinserted into a given position of the bracket 35, a projection 36 a isengaged with a concave portion 35 b formed in the bracket 35.

In the conventional technology 1, the clip 36 is fixed so as not to bedisengaged from the bracket 35 by frictional force through elasticstability force caused in the bulge portion 36 c when the clip 36 isengaged with the bracket 35. Thus, the clip of the conventionaltechnology 1 has some thickness and some rigidity. The engagement of theclip 36 has to be hit with a hammer or the like. Space for lowering thehammer is required to be provided on the periphery of the bracket.

In the case of fixing apparatus of the conventional technology 1, thesocket 32 is fixed by the elastic stability force of the clip 36. When apushing operation force is added to the control cable, the reactionforce is supported by a bracket through the clip 36. The clip 36 iscaused to deflect, thereby causing stroke loss. Furthermore, when arepetitive operation is conducted with high load, fatigue failure can becaused in the clip.

In Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 32499/1994 is mountedis disclosed a fixing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as“conventional technology 2”) composed of a socket 42 mounted on theterminal of a cable 41 as shown in FIG. 6, having two flanges 44 a and44 b with a groove 43 grasped between them, a bracket 45 having anapproximate hole 45 a allowing the groove 43 of the socket 42 to bedetachably received in, a clip 46 having a bulge portion 46 c engagedbetween flanges 44 a and the bracket 45, as shown in, for example,Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 32499/1994.

The configuration of the conventional technology 2 is almost identicalto that of the conventional technology 1. The problem points of theconventional technology 2 are similar to those of the conventionaltechnology 1.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fixing apparatus forfixing the terminal of a control cable or the like, wherein the problempoints of the conventional technologies 1 and 2 are removed, excessivespace is not required for a mounting operation, the mounting isextremely easy to conduct, and the stroke loss is not caused in thecontrol cable system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fixing apparatus in one embodiment of this invention is composed of afixing means which is provided in a given position of a vehicle such asautomobile, construction machine, a terminal fixing metal fixture fixedto the terminal of the control cable being engaged with a bracket meanswithout substantial play in the axial direction whereby stroke loss isnot caused in the control cable system, and is provided fornon-detachably fixing the terminal fixing metal fixture from the bracketmeans.

A fixing apparatus of this invention fixes the terminal of the controlcable through a terminal fixing metal fixture provided in the terminalof the control cable on a flat-plate bracket means provided in a givenposition of a vehicle such as automobile, construction machine or thelike,

the terminal fixing metal fixture, approximately cylindrical, composedof a main body with a groove being formed on its external peripheralsurface, and a notch portion is formed in the bracket means with atleast its upper portion being opened and its lower portion beingsemi-circular,

a fixing means is desirably provided for non-detachably fixing aterminal fixing metal fixture engaged with the notch portion with theside edge of the notch portion being engaged with the groove, and thewidth of the groove being slightly larger than the thickness of thebracket means as the terminal fixing metal fixture is non-movable in itsaxial direction.

The fixing means is desirable to be a spacer interposed between eitherof at least a first portion and a second portion, and a bracket means,of the first and second portions defined by a groove formed in the mainbody portion of the terminal fixing metal fixture, to close the openedtop portion of the notch portion, and form a tongue piece to be engagedwith a slit formed in the bracket means.

The spacer is desirable to be engaged between the first portion and thebracket means, and between the second portion and the bracket.

The spacer is desirable to be interposed in a condition where an urgedforce is given between the first portion and the bracket means orbetween the second portion and the bracket means.

A gap between a groove formed in the main body portion of the terminalfixing metal fixture and a thickness of a bracket means to be engaged inthe groove is desirable to be 0 or more, and about 0.8 mm or less.

At least one concave portion is formed between the first portion and thebracket means or between the second portion and the bracket means, and aprojection to be engaged with the concave portion is desirable to beformed in a spacer.

An apparatus in another embodiment of this invention is composed of afixing means which is engaged with a bracket means provided in a givenposition of a vehicle such as automobile, construction machine or thelike, a terminal fixing metal fixture fixed to the terminal of thecontrol cable from the bracket means being engaged with withoutsubstantial play in the axial direction, and is provided fornon-detachably fixing the terminal fixing metal fixture.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrating view showing one example of a fixing apparatusin an embodiment of the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustrating view showing one example of a spacer to beused in an apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustrating view showing one example of a fixing apparatusin another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrating view showing a method of mounting an apparatusof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an illustrating view showing one example of the conventionalapparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the conventionalapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus in the embodiments of this invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a view for illustrating one example of a fixing apparatus inEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 2(a) and (b) arerespectively a front view and a side view of a spacer to be used in anapparatus in FIG. 1.

An apparatus of this embodiment is composed of a terminal 1 in the formof a terminal fixing metal fixture provided in a given position of avehicle such as automobile, construction machine or the like and fixedto an end of a control cable C, a bracket means 2 for fixing theterminal fixing metal fixture 1 on a car body or the like, and a fixingmeans 3 for non-detachably fixing the terminal fixing metal fixture 1from a bracket means 2 with a terminal fixing metal fixture 1 engagedwith a bracket means 2 without substantial play in the axial direction(see FIG. 1). In this invention, being non-detachable means a conditionwhere force required to pull out the terminal fixing metal fixture 1with respect to force (approximately 60N) required to mount the fixingmetal fixture 1 on a bracket means is approximately 10 times(approximately 600N) and the fixing metal fixture 1 is not disengagedfrom in the engagement condition.

In Embodiment 1, the terminal fixing metal fixture 1, approximatelycylindrical in shape, and a groove 10 a formed on external peripheralface, is composed of a main body 10 functioning as a socket with acontrol cable C being fixed therein.

The bracket means 2 has a notch portion 2 a, with the upper portion U ofthe notch portion 2 a being opened to receive the main body 10 in andthe lower portion L being approximately semi-circular in shape.

The side edge 2 c of the notch portion 2 a is engaged with a groove 10 aand the terminal fixing metal fixture 1 is unmovable in the axialdirection, so as to make the width of the groove 10 a slightly largerthan the thickness of the bracket means 2.

A first portion 10 b and a second portion 10 c are defined by a groove10 a formed by the main body portion 10 of the terminal fixing metalfixture 1. The fixing means 3 is composed of a first including portion13 b interposed between the first portion 10 b and the bracket means 2,and a second including portion 13 c interposed between the secondportion 10 c and the bracket means 2. The first including portion 13 bis continuous to the second including portion 13 c to close the openedupper portion U of the notch portion 2 a. As spacer piece 13 has atongue piece 13 a engaged with a slit 2 b formed in the bracket means 2.As the material of the spacer 13 is adopted preferably a spring materialof SUS301-CSP specified in JIS G 4313, S55C-CSP specified in JIS G 4051,SK5-CSP specified in JIS G 4401 or the like.

Reference numeral 13 d is a projection for coming in contact with theupper end of the bracket means 2 for correcting so that the bracketmeans 2 and the spacer 13 may become a proper angle in engaging the mainbody 10, having a spacer 13 coupled to it, with the spacer 13 beingengaged with it with the bracket means 2. Reference numerals 13 f and 13g are guides bent into a shape extended so that the groove 10 a may beguided smoothly to the bracket means 2 in the engagement of the mainbody 10 engaged with the spacer 13 with the bracket means 2. To ensurethe guiding, a guide 13 f or 13 g is bent in a longer position.

In the embodiment, the spacer 13 has approximately “inverse U” shape insection (see FIGS. 2(a) and (b)). With restriction in such construction,the first including portion 13 b or the second including portion 13 c isincluded in the present embodiment.

If a projection 13 e in either the first including portion 13 b or thesecond including portion 13 c is formed, and if a concave 10 d where theprojection is engaged with the main body 10 is formed, then the spacer13 is prevented from being separated from the main body 10 until themain body 10 is engaged with the bracket means 2, or the rotation of themain body 10 can be prevented.

A gap between a groove 10 a formed in the main body portion 10 of theterminal fixing metal fixture 1 and the thickness of the bracket meansengaged with the groove 10 a is 0 or more and approximately 0.8 mm orless. The thickness of the spacer 13 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 isapproximately 0.4 mm.

Embodiment 2

In a fixing apparatus in this embodiment, the basic construction of theembodiment 2 is the same as that of the embodiment 1. In FIGS. 3 and 4,the same positions as those of the apparatus in Embodiment 1 are giventhe same reference numerals. The positions in the embodiment 2 are thesame as those of Embodiment 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the embodiment, a spacer 13 functioning as afixing means 3 is engaged with a bracket means 2 in advance, and atongue piece 13 a is engaged with a slit 2 b formed in the bracket means1, so that the spacer 13 is not easily slipped off from the bracketmeans 2. In this condition, the bracket means 2 is mounted in a givenposition P of the engine room or the like of an automobile.

As in FIG. 4, when the peripheral edge of the notch portion 2 a of thespacer 13 is engaged with a groove 10 a formed in the terminal fixingmetal fixture 1 and engage a tongue piece 13 a into a slit 2 b formed inthe bracket means 2, the terminal fixing metal fixture 1 is received bythe spacer 13 in such a manner that the urging means B is bent by thefirst portion 10 b. After the spacer 13 is engaged with the peripheraledge, the terminal fixing metal fixture 1 can be retained since theurging means B returns to the original shape by the resilient forcethereof and the terminal fixing metal fixture 1 is grasped without playby resilient force as a leaf spring of the spacer 13 and the urgingmeans B. The terminal fixing metal fixture is fixed in the bracket means2 without play in axial direction and with non-detachability.

Further, the side or portion of the urging means B touching the terminalfixing metal fixture is an arc, radius of curvature of which is the sameas a radius of the first portion 10 b.

In the embodiment, of the control cable C can be provided in a conditionwhere the spacer 13 is not mounted in the terminal fixing metal fixture1. Thus, the appliance within the engine room cannot be damaged by theedge of the spacer 13.

According to the apparatus of the invention, since the force requiredfor engagement with the bracket of the spacer as the fixing means isapproximately 60N, the engaging operation can be conducted manually.Thus, a tool such as hammer or the like is not necessary for mounting onthe vehicle, it is necessary to obtain the space for mounting operation.Since the force of approximately 600N is required to pull out the spacerfrom the bracket means, the fixing condition can be retained positively.After the engagement, the spacer is interposed in the space between thebracket means and the main body, the space becomes approximately 0. Thestroke loss is not caused in the control cable system. Furthermore, inboth the first portion and the second portion, the outside diameter ofeach portion is larger than the width of the notch portion. The fatiguefailure is not caused, because the spacer is not deflected large.

Though several embodiments of the present invention described above, itis to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments, and various changes and modifications maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fixing apparatus for non-detachably fixing aterminal fixing metal fixture provided on a control cable to a bracketmeans provided in a given position of a vehicle, wherein said terminalfixing metal fixture has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprisesa main body with a groove on a peripheral surface of the main body bywhich a first portion and a second portion are defined, said fixingapparatus comprising a spacer having substantially inverse U shape insection, said spacer functioning as a fixing means; wherein said spacercomprises: a first including portion interposed between one of saidfirst portion and said second portion and said bracket means in casewhere said spacer is provided on said bracket means; a second includingportion being continuous to said first including portion, said secondincluding portion being interposed between the other one of said firstportion and said second portion and said bracket means in case wheresaid spacer is provided on said bracket means; a tongue piece engagedwith a slit formed in said bracket means in case where said spacer isprovided on said bracket means; and an urging means which is bent bysaid first portion as said terminal fixing metal fixture is received bysaid spacer, said urging means returning to an original shape based on aresilient force of the same when said spacer engages said fixture forfixedly retaining said terminal fixing metal fixture.
 2. A fixingapparatus for non-detachably fixing a control cable to a bracketprovided in a given position of a vehicle, said fixing apparatuscomprising: a terminal fixing metal fixture for mounting to a controlcable, said fixture having a substantially cylindrical shape andcomprising a main body with a groove by which a first portion and asecond portion are defined, said groove being formed on a peripheralsurface of the main body; and a spacer having substantially inverse Ushape in section, said spacer functioning as a fixing means; whereinsaid spacer comprising: a first including portion interposed between oneof said first portion and said second portion and said bracket means incase where said spacer is provided on said bracket means; a secondincluding portion being continuous to said first including portion, saidsecond including portion being interposed between the other one of saidfirst portion and said second portion and said bracket means in casewhere said spacer is provided on said bracket means; a tongue pieceengaged with a slit formed in said bracket means in case where saidspacer is provided on said bracket means; and an urging means which isbent by said first portion as said terminal fixing metal fixture isreceived by said spacer, said urging means returning to an originalshape based on a resilient force of the same when said spacer engagessaid fixture for fixedly retaining said terminal fixing metal fixture.3. A fixing apparatus for non-detachably fixing a control cable to avehicle, the fixing apparatus comprising: a bracket for mounting in agiven position of a vehicle, the bracket having a notch portion formedtherein with at least the upper portion of the notch portion being open;a terminal fixing metal fixture for mounting to a control cable, thefixture having a substantially cylindrical shape and comprising a mainbody with a groove by which a first portion and a second portion aredefined, the groove being formed on a peripheral surface of the mainbody; and a spacer having substantially inverse U shape in section, thespacer functioning as a fixing means; wherein the spacer comprises: afirst including portion interposed between one of the first portion andthe second portion and the bracket in case where the spacer is providedon the bracket; a second including portion being continuous to the firstincluding portion, the second including portion being interposed betweenthe other one of the first portion and the second portion and thebracket in case where the spacer is provided on the bracket; a tonguepiece engaged with a slit formed in the bracket in case where the spaceris provided on the bracket; and an urging means which is bent by thefirst portion as the terminal fixing metal fixture is received by thespacer, the urging means returning to an original shape based on aresilient force of the same when the spacer engages the fixture forfixedly retaining the terminal fixing metal fixture.